About us

Cottage Grove operates a police department, fire department, and ambulance service under a public safety concept. This means the three distinct service divisions of police, fire, and emergency medical services are merged into one operational and management team; the end result being a team of people meeting and exceeding the goals and mission of the public safety organization. This type of organizational structure provides the public with seamless coordinated services from all divisions. Inherent in such a system is superior service delivery to the community.

The Police Department protects human life and property by responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, enforcing laws and ordinances, and investigating crimes.

The Cottage Grove Police Department is proud of our well-earned reputation for professionalism and responsiveness to the needs of the community. Our department consists of 42 full-time sworn officers and 15 full/part-time non-sworn personnel.

Cottage Grove is also unique in that we provide emergency medical services (E.M.S. - Paramedic Ambulance Service), utilizing fire fighter paramedics and police officer paramedics in a joint service. Currently Cottage Grove public safety is transitioning to fire fighter paramedics responding to first call medicals and police officer paramedics respond to secondary calls.

Mission Statement

Cottage Grove Public Safety collectively serves our community compassionately providing protection of life and property. We do this with honor, integrity, pride and professionalism. We are Cottage Grove Public Safety.